The New Orleans Saints have their new defensive leader in place on Kellen Moore's staff ahead of the NFL scouting combine next week.
The Saints are hiring another expected name in former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, according to reports. Staley hired new Saints head coach Kellen Moore as his offensive coordinator for the 2023 season, and now the pair will reunite in the opposite capacity in New Orleans.
Staley, who spent this past season as a top assistant for the 49ers, emerged as a favorite for the job early on due both to his familiarity with Moore but also his experience as a head coach. Staley spent two full series as the head coach of the Chargers before being fired midway through the 2023 season. He'll bring significant experience that should aid Moore as he navigates his first shot at being a head coach himself, fresh off a Super Bowl victory as the offensive coordinator for the Eagles.
Another feather in Staley's cap is his familiarity with the defensive scheme that the Eagles used to great success under Vic Fangio this past season. Staley's first NFL job came on Fangio's staff with the Bears as a linebackers coach in the 2017 season, and followed Fangio for the same role with the Broncos in 2019. He also spent a year as the Rams defensive coordinator before landing his head coaching gig.
Staley, 42, is a native of Ohio and played quarterback at the University of Dayton.
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The hire, which is yet to be officially announced, means the Saints' vision is set on both sides of the ball. If Staley brings over the scheme he used in L.A., it'll mean a significant change from what the Saints have been running with a 4-3, press-man heavy scheme. Staley's Chargers defenses operated in a 3-4, zone-heavy setup, not unlike what Fangio runs, which would mean potentially significant changes to the roster to best suit that style over the next few seasons. That could be a major theme in the upcoming draft, in which the Saints hold nine selections, including No. 9 overall.
There will be several more hires to make on the defense to build out Staley's staff, with the offensive side appearing to be stocked with coaches after this week's hirings. That group includes Doug Nussmeier at OC, Scott Tolzien as quarterbacks coach, Joel Thomas as RBs coach, Brendan Nugent as OL coach, Chase Haslett as TEs coach and TJ Paganetti in an undisclosed assistant role. The Saints are also expected to retain Keith Williams as WRs coach and elevated Phil Galiano into the special teams coordinator role.